Saint-Barthélemy

This arid, volcanic rock of just eight square miles is home to an eclectic mix of iguanas, night-blooming cactus, and fabulous beaches as well as luxury yachts, designer boutiques, and celebrities?

Peopled primarily by descendents of the original French settlers and transplanted Europeans, this is an island with a strong, independent personality.

 Through the vagaries of its history it became a duty-free port and more recently liberated itself from the administrative yoke of Guadeloupe.

 It is certainly the most unusual of the French West Indies islands.